Committee publication · Correspondence · 9 June 2026
Letter to the Permanent Secretary relating to the Main Estimates 2026-27 14.05.2026
From: Home Affairs Committee
Summary
The Home Affairs Committee writes to the Home Office Permanent Secretary requesting clarification on six key areas of the Main Estimates 2026-27: visa income and cost assumptions showing £1 billion net benefit, asylum cost drivers and breakdowns, capital funding for asylum accommodation, McCloud pension claims, places of worship security funding, and National Crime Agency budget increases. Response requested by 3 June 2026.
Key findings
- Visas, Passports, Citizenship and Resettlement budget forecast to generate additional £1 billion through £360.7 million income increase (7.8%) and £652.1 million operational cost reduction (27.2%)
- Asylum support costs reduced by £388.0 million but total Asylum Group resource costs increased by £171.9 million; committee seeks breakdown of drivers
- £150 million ring-fenced capital allocation for asylum accommodation on former military sites funded by MHCLG; committee questions rationale
- Home Office uniquely incurring McCloud 'injury to feelings' pension claims while most other departments have implemented changes without such claims
- £21.5 million additional allocation for places of worship security; committee seeks confirmation of purpose, total budget, and historical comparison
Tone
ProceduralTopics
Key actors
Home Affairs Committee, Gareth Davies CB, Permanent Secretary, Home Office, Rt Hon Dame Karen Bradley MP, House of Commons Scrutiny Unit, Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, National Crime Agency
Notable line
“The budget documentation indicates that (excluding the Immigration Health Surcharge) the Visas, Passports, Citizenship and Resettlement budget is forecast to generate an additional c.£1 billion for the department.”
Key Quotes
“The budget documentation indicates that (excluding the Immigration Health Surcharge) the Visas, Passports, Citizenship and Resettlement budget is forecast to generate an additional c.£1 billion for the department.”
“Most departments have implemented the necessary McCloud pension changes without incurring "injury to feelings" claims. Why is this issue unique to the Home Office?”
“The Committee looks forward to receiving the Department's response and to continued constructive engagement.”
Source · parliament.uk record ↗